The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-10-21
Wanted-Pure Water.

DR.. Jackson Piper, President, and Dr.
Charles W. Chancellor, Secretary and Execu-
tive officer Of the State Board of HEALTH Wis
tied Bel Air, on Monday last, for the pur-
pose of looking into the sanitary condition
ofthe town. The water supply occupied
their principal attention, and chemical tests
made on the spot by DR.. Chancellor show
ed very clearly that wells hitherto thought to
contain pure water are TO greater or less
extent polluted; and in some instances so
much so as to be rendered unfit for drinking
or culinary purposes. All waters, even the
purest, the Doctors stated, contain some or
ganic matter; but it is an excess Of this matter
which is objected to- and especially that of
animal origin, which is prone to pass
through certain putrefactve changes. In
several samples of water drawn from wells in
common use these changes, it was found, had
already taken place, and the water was pro-
nounced dangerous while in others it was re-
garded only as suspicious. Four samples, re-
presenting the general average of our drink
ing water, were ordered to be drawn from
different localities in the town, which will be
subjected 10 an analysis in order to deter
mine the quantity and quality of the existing
impurities, before pronouncing positively as
to the safety of the suspicious" waters.
Scientists tell us that the waters of shall.
low wells, in towns where the soil is more or
less filthy, or near grave yards, or pig
had
bles, SC, if found to contain an excess of solid
residue, in the form of nitrates, nitrtes, chic
rides, Sc, may be pronounced as unsafe al,
though the amount of albuminoid ammonia
is insignificant, for we can never tell when
the earth may cease to act as filter by oxy-
dizing the filth. Septic poisons, or the poi
son ofdiseases, attach themselves to organic
filth undergoing putrefactive decomposition
in which they find an appropriate indus for
development; and should any epidemic dis
ease break out polluted or bad water would
undoubtedly serve to augment its ravages
Prevention is better than cure in all things
yet often times in view of the many interests
concerned and the lack of effective knowledge
as to what will or will not prevent sickness
nothing is done, and the evil comes costing
more hundred fold than the most expensive
preventive measures.
The State Board of Health has so studied
facts and interences, as to present conclusions
to our citizens which should impress them
with the necessity of taking immediate steps
to carry out the suggestions of the Board,
when it speaks with no uncertain emphasis
In declaring, that the use of impure eater is
the most fruigutssouree qf disease we have
to contend with. The experiences of Hag.
ers,own, Gainesville, Towsontown and Eas-
ton, will serve to show that the best of water
can be got in any part of our State from ar
tesan wells, with comparatively little ex-
pense; and with eveu the suspicion of pol
luted water supply staring us in the face,
there should not longer be any hesitation as
to the proper couse to pursue. What were
done, it were well it were done quickly.
The 4Ags has repeatedly called atten-
ton to the deficiency of the water supply in
Bel Air and the danger Of the destruction of
much valuable public and private property,
If fire should break out in the vicinity of
the Court House. or indeed in almost any
part of the town. Besides this important
consideration the contamination of our
drinking water, from imperfect drainage, has
been urged as a reason for taking active
steps in the matter of water supply. The
latter danger, we must confess, appears to be
more serious than has been supposed. For